.... I love the look of stitches, the way thread marries the fabric ....

Saturday, March 10, 2012

New Patterns

After four weeks of being on crutches and a walker, I am anxious to get back into my sewing room. But I have a few more weeks of recovery yet. I could sew, but it is just too difficult to get all the other things organized, such as the ironing board and manoevring a walker around that. Plus cutting out would be tricky when you have to stand on one leg only.

But I have noticed a few patterns lately that are very attractive and this morning I thought why not order them and they will be here in a few weeks, just as I am ready to start sewing again.

Carolyn makes many sweater sets, and she used this pattern to make a different neckline than her usual V-neck. The pattern looks great to me, and I have some knits just waiting to be made up into cardigans. I have noticed many dresses lately that seem to just call out for a light cardigan to be worn over them.

And speaking of dresses, I have been wanting to make a couple of new dresses. And there are some nice patterns out there. The first one I ordered is Butterick 5382.

﻿

I really like the neckline on this, with the pleats adding interest to an otherwise straight sheath dress.

Then I also ordered Vogue 8786 because this is another simple sheath, but with the interest of a yoke. And with two sleeve variations, this can be made up for either warm or cool weather.

and the fourth pattern I ordered was McCalls 6433. I had seen this last year in the catalogue and I really liked it but thought that this would not work for my figure type. But then I read the newsletter put out by Palmer/Pletsch and read that Marta Alto made this up as a top and skirt, rather than a dress. Then she could lengthen the top and straighten out the side seams, rather than make a dress with a defined waistline, something that doesn't work for either her or me. I will also raise that neck opening, as that is definitely for a younger body than mine. If you haven't checked out their website, it is worth reading the newsletter. You can download it for free at www.palmerpletsch.com - click on the left for Free On-line Fashion Magazine. I read with interest Pati's experience with a new pant pattern with a contour waistband. As she says, cotton/lycra pants just don't look that great because the fabric doesn't drape. Her fitting tips are well worth reading.

Now, I will anxiously await these new patterns and, in the meantime, think of which fabrics from the stash I can use for them. Because I am going to keep the New Year's resolution of sewing two stash fabrics for every one new purchase.

I am still working on the Aran baby blanket. It is going slowly, as there are 171 stitches in each row, and I am making it with baby weight wool, rather than worsted weight. I find the lighter wool easier to knit with these fingers that get stiff holding heavier yarn.

It is good to feel keen to sew once again. It has been a while since I felt inspired to make something new.

6 comments:

Glad to hear you are getting around now and eager to start sewing. By the time the patterns arrive, you will be able to do it, it sounds like.

You have chosen very nice patterns to sew and I hope you can hold true to your resolution. I am doing quite well with not buying any new rodeo fabric though I did get one piece and now need to buy 6 meters for a dress. I don't have enough of the colour we chose from the stash to make this beauty.

I was recently at the Palmer Pletsch sewing school and was able to try on Marta's top, as he had both top and skirt on the rail in the classroom. It did make a really nice top, good shape for me, as you said she had straightened the sides out. It's told me that I need to take a careful look at patterns to see how I can use them to my advantage.

Sorry Kelley, I didn't see your comment until today. No I haven't made that pattern, although it is in my stash! I think it would be an easy one to fit and, with very nice fabric, and embellishment on the yoke, it would be lovely as an MOB dress.